ACCESS TO DRUG RECOVERY IS VITAL

DRUG USE wrecks individual lives, tears apart families and destroys
communities. Many of us have had the agony of watching a loved one cope with
dependence on drugs and alcohol. Unfortunately, we know that many of our
family members and fellow citizens are not being treated for their
addiction. Oklahoma is not immune to the disease of addiction. Illicit drug
use is all too common, with marijuana the most prevalent drug of abuse.
High-potency sinsemilla marijuana -- often double the strength of the
domestically grown drug -- is readily available in Oklahoma. Methamphetamine
is also a rising and dangerous threat. Fully 6 percent of 18 to 25-year-olds
self-report that they are dependent or addicted to drugs, with the rate
rising to 14 percent when alcohol is added into the mix. We estimate that
more than 43,000 Oklahomans in the year 2000 needed but did not receive
treatment to overcome their addiction.

In that same year, the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse reported that
about 4 million Americans reported to have needed treatment but did not
receive it. Of that group, about 2 percent of them -- 100,000 people --
actually sought treatment but did not get it. As President Bush said in his
State of the Union address, "a nation that is tough on drugs must be
compassionate to those addicted to drugs." That is why this year he
announced a three-year, $600 million "Access to Recovery" initiative to
assist more Americans who need critical recovery services. This is part of
the president's pledge to heal America's alcohol and drug users by
increasing treatment funding by $1.6 billion over five years.

The initiative creates a voucher program to increase treatment services,
improve outreach and referral, and improve the quality of treatment
programs. It will complement existing programs and ensure that those
struggling with addiction have access to a comprehensive continuum of
treatment and support service options, including faith and community-based
programs. By offering vouchers to Americans needing drug treatment, we hope
to increase the motivation and propensity to seek and receive help.

Addiction is a disease that alters brain chemistry, adversely affects
behavior and devastates lives. But the good news is that treatment works --
as the millions of Americans in recovery demonstrate. Rather than mandating
a one-size-fits-all approach to treatment, however, it is important to note
that each individual's treatment needs are different. One person may benefit
from community-based treatment, while another would thrive with faith-based
treatment providers. "Access to Recovery" ensures that individual needs are
respected.

While the initiative targets the percentage of people who want treatment but
can't get it, it also is part of a broader theme of changing the cultural
conversation on drug use and treatment. Specifically, we hope to increase
ways to get people into treatment and help them realize they have a problem,
close the motivation gap to get those who know they need treatment through
the clinic doors, tear down the stigma associated with recovery and help
families and friends come to terms with the problems associated with
addiction.

This new initiative is our chance to close the gap between treatment
services and those who need them. It is an important means to save more
lives.